Spanish Christmas

When do the three wise men come to Spain to give presents to the children?

• 24th-25th December

• 5th-6th December

• 31st December

• 5th-6th January

Answer explanation

They come the night of the 5th of January. Their names are Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar.

How is this traditional sweet called?

• Mazapán

• Polvorón

• Turrón

• Mantecado

Answer explanation

Turrón is a kind of Spanish confectionery resembling nougat, made from almonds and honey. It can be hard or soft.

In the Roscón de Reyes (a Spanish traditional brioche sweet bread) if you are lucky, you will find inside it: ​a)------ and if you are unlucky, you will get ​b)-----

• a) a coin

  b) a nut

• a) a figure

  b) a bean

• a) candy

  b) a piece of coal

• a) a cherry

  b) a lentil

Answer explanation

We have it on the 6th of January. If you get the figure (a little statue of the kings, Jesus Christ or other characters), you can collect them. But, if you get the bean, you will buy the Roscón de Reyes next year...

In Spain, we have a tradition we always do on the 31st of December, to welcome the New Year. What is it?

• Eat 12 grapes

• Make a special cake

• Dance together

• Whisper our New Year's resolutions

Answer explanation

The 12 grapes are supposed to give us luck and we eat them every time the bell rings (12 times). Historically, rich people had this tradition, but one year there were too many grapes, so everybody did it.

You spell "Merry Christmas" in Spanish like this:

In Algeciras (María's hometown), children have a strange tradition that they do on the 5th of January. What is it?

• They go to people's houses and they decorate the tree

• They go to people's houses and ask for money

• They go to the sea and shout

• They drag cans around the city

Answer explanation

"El arrastre de latas" is a tradition which origin is unknown. There are several legends about it. One says that the kids wanted to make noise and let the Three Wise Men know that they were there because a giant was causing fog in the city and they couldn't be seen.